Molecular and biochemical characterization of solid waste biodegrading microbes isolated from municipal waste dump site

Abstract

Solid waste dump site-based pollution is one of the colossal health concerns globally due to presence of cellulose, starch, protein, and lipids, which is a perfect nutrient waste for the development of biodegrading potential microbes. The current study aimed to determine the productive microorganisms for waste biodegradation. Ten samples were collected from different areas of Karachi waste dump sites. The identification and characterization of isolates were done by morphological and biochemical tests. The isolated microbes were qualitatively screened for the action of making industrially key bio-enzymes. The potential enzymes producing microbes were subjected to waste degradation test for 90 days. Changes of odor, color and weight loss of decomposing garbage were noted. The highest degradation ability in term of weight loss was shown by Aspergillus (SSI14) and Bacillus (SSI6). Four metals (zinc sulphate, cadmium chloride, copper sulphate and iron sulphate) were chosen for the purpose of metals tolerance test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the isolated microbial strains. Current study reported that Zn was found to be more lethal in in comparison to  Cu and Fe. Molecular identification of the isolated microbes was done by polymerase chain reaction. The microbial strains were characterized by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by confirmation of product by agarose gel electrophoresis. The findings can be served as baseline data to develop microbial apparatus for biodegradation and management of solid waste.